Can't get strut out! Help!

[Rokas Reipa]

My attempt to change the front struts in my 93 100s has turned into a very
frustrating ordeal. I am keeping the strut housing in and using the 'pull
the strut out from the top' method. I undid the lower bolt, took off the
plate on top and undid the screw on the top(everything as per bentley
instructions). The damn strut will NOT come out no matter what. I tried
pulling it, prying it out, hammering it, squirting wd40 into it. Nothing.
The shaft comes all the way up but the strut itself is stuck in the housing.
Has anybody had this problem before? I really dont want to take the whole
strut housing out; what do I do? Am I missing a critical step?? Thanks,

Rokas
93 100s 5sp